Sunday 15 October 2023:
SWF sees GPs merge whilst NHS England creaks.
On Monday 16 October, Greenwood and Wyncroft Practices merge operationally. Both separate IT systems will be connected, allowing staff to use one system for both surgeries. Both sites will continue to operate in exactly the same way. The advantages will be shared working across the sites between staff, and increased flexibility for patients.
This is a huge undertaking and NHS IT will be helping on site.
On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 October Greenwood and Wyncroft will provide limited services. The IT system will be temporarily shut down in the 16th afternoon, but all clinicians will be on hand to help manage emergency or urgent issues. PLEASE POSTPONE routine queries on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 October until afterwards. The online Patchs consultation platform will have increased capacity to allow patients to contact with routine requests during this time.
- Consultant Doctors struck on 19-20 September + Junior Doctors on 20–23 September; all Consultants and Junior Doctors struck from 2–5 October. These disputes must be settled by immediate negotiations. Surely the estimated £1billion+ cost of NHS strikes so far to provide cover could have been better spent to settle the Doctors’ dispute?
- Our three hospitals in Chelmsford, Basildon & Southend have 186,683 people awaiting treatment; 89,500 have waited 18+ weekswith 11,000+ waiting more than a year.
- Industrial action has contributed to the record 7.7m people awaiting treatment now.
- Since December 2022 when industrial actions began, 1.01m hospital appointments and treatments have been cancelled in England due to staff strike action, plus more than 60,000 community and mental health appointments. The doctors’ strikes have caused the majority of the disruption.
- Doctors are providing emergency cover and the awful M53 accident was an example of when doctors left picket lines and went to work.
- NHSEngland continues planning for industrial action throughout Winter 2023.
- Patients’ waiting lists grow and lengthen. Gaps in staffing and services are increasing. NHS staff endure ever-more stress and some are leaving.
SWF GP Practices are running Covid booster and flu vaccination clinics by invitation for appointments so vaccines’ supplies are available. Please don’t ask about this unless you’ve received an invitation. PLEASE GET VACCINATED IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE. IT’S AS NECESSARY AS EVER.
Anyone eligible for a Covid vaccination can book an appointment at Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment – NHS (www.nhs.uk) or call 119 free of charge.
Adults and some maternity patients eligible for free flu vaccinations can also get them from some pharmacies; details are atFlu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) .
Children can get flu vaccinations: 6months-until start primary school from GPs; primary and secondary school children at school; details atChild flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) .
The UKHSA data dashboard, re-introduced for Winter 2023-24, shows increases to 4,294 (up 3.5%) Covid hospitalisations and 235 (up 12.2%) deaths with Covid on death certificates for the week ended 11 October 2023. Locally we’re told that Covid infections are increasing in both numbers and severity of illness suffered at home.
Around 1 in 8 students at Universities and Colleges aren’t protected from Meningitis, a common illness for them. Students are urged to be vaccinated against Meningitis and other diseases. Meningitis can cause long-term disability, serious health complications and takes lives. Read about this at: Around 1 in 8 new students unprotected against meningitis – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
Freshers and all students are being urged to use a condom if having sex to protect against record levels of Gonorrhoea and all sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Diagnoses of STIs have soared recently and 15-24-year-olds are most likely to suffer. Students are advised to get a free test before having sex with a new partner. Gonorrhoea cases increased by over 20% to more than 82,500 in 2022, with the largest rise for 19 & 20-year-olds. Among 15-24-year-olds in 2022, 400 STIs were diagnosed every day.
Tuberculosis (TB) cases rose by 7% in the first half of 2023, with 2,408 notifications, so progress towards elimination of TB has stalled. TB is curable and preventable and remains a serious public health issue. The UKHSA news release about this is at Tuberculosis (TB) cases continue to rise in England in 2023 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
UKHSA has issued guidance about Brucella Canis – brucellosis which can be transmitted from dogs to humans. It is mainly found in dogs imported from Eastern Europe so dog breeders and owners of imported dogs may be at higher risk. The guidance is at Brucella canis: information for the public and dog owners – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .
UKHSA’s 26 September Childhood Immunisation data and commentary shows the continuing downward trend for uptake of routine childhood vaccinations. This is a very serious concern. Parents are urged to ensure their children are fully up to date with their immunisations by checking their child’s red book and contacting their GP if are unsure. This is at Cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly (COVER) programme 2023 to 2024: quarterly data – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . Public health news is on our website and in weekly e-newsletters. SWF Library provides online services and help with internet access. For health & welfare information and subscription to our newsletter email swfhealthsocial@outlook.com , or leave voicemails on 01245322079 https://swfhealthsocial.co.uk/
SWF Health & Social Care Group 